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In this feature, we get to know Jennifer Whetter, Class of 2014 alum. Jennifer embodies our mission to prepare SIS students to be innovative and contribute to their future careers.
A group of students from fourth-grade class in 2006 showing off class project.
Jennifer attended SIS from grades 4-12 (2006-2014). She then pursued her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. She is finishing her PhD in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focused on the development of radioactive pharmaceuticals for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Experience at SIS shaped Jennifer’s interest in Chemistry:
“I had very little exposure to chemistry prior to taking higher-level IB chemistry with Douglas Grezeszak. He used a flipped classroom approach that allowed me to tailor the class and the pace to my learning style while feeling supported. I noticed that I became more interested when the content got more challenging. Mr. Grezeszak empowered me to follow this curiosity.”
The exposure to university options during her time at SIS also influenced her choice of study destination.
Jennifer Whetter
Class of 2014 alum
"The University of British Columbia visited SIS multiple times throughout middle and high school. As a Canadian, UBC was already high on my list of universities, (and) continued exposure through these recruitment visits solidified my decision."
“At UBC, I was drawn to chemistry due to the small department size and sense of community that came with it. Coming from SIS, this made me feel at home. I had an inclination that I was interested in the interdiv of chemistry and human health; however, I didn’t quite know what a career in this area could look like. Through the co-operative education program at UBC, I had the opportunity to gain two years of work experience throughout my degree in a variety of roles. This led me to the field of medicinal inorganic chemistry (which I am still pursuing) — a field I had no idea existed!”
Hiking with friends in 2022 in New York, where Jennifer started her PhD program.
Jennifer’s goal is to complete her PhD program at the end of 2024 and then seek a research position at a cancer institute or a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company. Through her career, she aims to bring research into a clinical setting to impact patient outcomes and quality of life positively.
“I hope to focus on diseases — such as ovarian cancer — that are frequently diagnosed late in the progression when there are limited treatment options.”
The exposure that SIS offered Jennifer played an important role in developing her values.
With friends at senior prom 2014.
“My time at Shekou International School showed me that the people around you ultimately define home. As SIS is a dynamic environment with people coming and going, I remember each year at SIS by the connections I made and the relationships I built. As I’ve moved around my adulthood, fostering this strong sense of community has remained a top priority for me.”
Celebrating a win at 2014 soccer ACAMIS with goalie Ellen Soderberg.
She also credits the activities available to developing skills and aptitudes that remain meaningful in her personal and professional life today.
“I am grateful for the opportunity at SIS to participate in every sport offered, which led to my love for basketball and soccer. These sports were key in developing my leadership and teamwork skills. It was incredibly rewarding to put in the effort and see tangible improvements at a young age, which played a significant role in building my confidence and sense of self, both on and off the court.” Today, recreational sports are essential to Jennifer’s life, helping her maintain balance and build community through activities like hiking and rock climbing.
Class photo during the week without walls 2014 in Yangshuo
Jennifer’s advice on the success that she offers to our current students resonates as someone who has been able to navigate a changing world and find her role, “Keep an open mind and don’t worry too much about having your career path figured out. You will encounter people and opportunities throughout your education and career that pull you in unexpected directions, and it’s valuable to explore these to learn about yourself and what you find fulfilling.”
Reunion with best childhood friend from SIS, Jun Jun Feng, in New York City in 2021!
We wish Jennifer every success as she completes her PhD and uses her skills to support important new cancer treatments.
在本期专题报道中，我们来走近2014届校友Jennifer Whetter的世界。Jennifer完美诠释了SIS的使命：培养具有创新精神的SIS学子，并为他们未来的职业道路做出积极贡献。
2006年四年级的学生们展示班级项目
Jennifer在深圳市蛇口外籍人员子女学校（SIS）度过了她的学生时代，从4年级一直到12年级（2006-2014年）。随后，她前往加拿大温哥华的不列颠哥伦比亚大学，攻读化学理学学士学位。目前，她正在威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校，攻读化学博士，专攻癌症诊断和治疗的放射性药物的开发。
在SIS的经历不仅塑造了Jennifer对化学的浓厚兴趣，更激发了她对科学探索的热情：
“在跟随Douglas Grezeszak老师学习更高层次的IB化学课程之前，我很少接触化学。他采用了翻转课堂的教学方法，让我能够根据自己的学习风格调整课程节奏，同时给予我极大的支持。我意识到自己在面对更具挑战性的内容时变得更加兴奋。Douglas Grezeszak老师激励我追随这份好奇心。”
在SIS期间接触到的大学选择也影响了她选择学习目的地的决定。
Jennifer Whetter
2014届校友
“不列颠哥伦比亚大学多次访问SIS，这让我对这所大学产生了浓厚的兴趣。作为加拿大人，UBC本就在我的首选大学名单上，而持续的招生访问进一步坚定了我的选择。”
“在UBC，化学系的规模适中，社区氛围浓厚，让我感到非常亲切。作为SIS学子，这里让我感受到了家的温暖。我发现自己对化学与人类健康的交叉领域充满兴趣，但当时我并不清楚这一领域的职业道路是怎样的。通过UBC的合作教育项目，我有幸在攻读学位的同时积累了两年的工作经验，这让我进入了药物无机化学领域——一个我未曾知晓的领域！”
2022年在纽约与朋友徒步，
Jennifer在这座城市开始了博士项目
Jennifer的目标是在2024年底完成她的博士学位课程，然后寻求在癌症研究所或临床阶段的放射性药物公司的研究职位。她希望通过自己的职业生涯，将研究成果转化为临床应用，从而积极影响患者的治疗结果和生活质量。
“我希望专注于像卵巢癌等疾病——这些疾病通常在晚期才被诊断出来，而此时的治选方案却非常有限。”
SIS为Jennifer提供的丰富体验，
不仅在她心中播下了化学的种子，
更在她的灵魂深处镌刻了深刻的价值观。
2014年与朋友们参加高中毕业舞会
“我在SIS学习生活的这些时光，都让我串联起对“家”的理解和珍视。在这个充满活力的社区里的每一年，都由那些珍贵的人际关系和深厚的友谊所标记。在我成年后的生活中，始终将培养强烈的社区意识作为自己的首要任务。”
2014年与守门员Ellen Soderberg
一起庆祝在ACAMIS足球比赛中获胜！
她还感激SIS提供的丰富活动，正是这些活动锻炼了她至今在个人和职业生活中都极具价值的技能和能力。
“我还感激能够参与到每一项运动中，不仅激发了我对篮球和足球的热爱，更是我领导力和团队合作能力的摇篮。在运动场上挥洒汗水，见证自己的成长和进步，那份成就感和自信，成为了我人生旅途中不可或缺的力量。这在建立我的自信心和自我意识方面发挥了重要作用，无论是在场上还是场下。”如今，休闲运动对Jennifer的生活至关重要，无论是徒步于山间小径，还是攀爬陡峭的岩壁，这些活动不仅帮助她保持身心的平衡，更是她建立新社区联系、结识新朋友的桥梁。
2014年在阳朔的无墙周期间的班级照片
Jennifer向我们在校学生分享了她对成功的洞见，作为一个能够驾驭变化的世界并找到自己角色的人，产生了共鸣，“保持开放的心态，不要过分焦虑于你的职业轨迹。在你的教育和职业生涯中，你将遇见许多人，碰到许多机遇，它们可能会引导你走向意料之外的路径。探索这些人际和机遇，以发现更多关于你自己的信息，以及那些能给你带来成就感的事物，这是非常宝贵的。”
2021年在纽约市与在SIS最好的童年朋友
Jun Jun Feng重逢！
我们衷心祝愿Jennifer在攻读博士学位的旅程中一帆风顺，并期待她能运用自己的才华，为开发重要的癌症新疗法贡献力量。
声明：本文由入驻国际教育网公众平台的作者撰写，观点仅代表作者本人，不代表国际教育网立场。如有侵权或其他问题，请联系举报。
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